Wave-motor.



G; W. WINSLOW.

WAVE MOTOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 23,1913.

1,123,054; Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

witnesses W WW HE. NORRI: PETERS co.. PHaTo-uT'm WASHINGTON, n. r

lED dTATES PANT @ldlfiliQE.

GEORGE W. WINSLOW, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

WAVE-MOTOR.

Application filed May 23, 1913.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. WINSLOW, a citizen of Chicago, residing at458 East Forty-seventh street, in the county of Cook and State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wave-Motors; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to wave motors, and more particularly to a typeof mechanism adapted to utilize the energy of waves for raising andstoring water to be used later as a motive power for driving machinery.

An object of the invention is to provide a wave motor of simpleconstruction which is adapted to rise and fall with the waves and carrymechanism one end of which is connected to a fixed submarine point sothat the movements of the device may be utilized to actuate a pump orother suitable mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide a wave motor with a pumpwhich is driven in one direction by the rise of the motor due to theaction of the waves and is moved in the opposite direction by means ofsprings or weights, the water motor being balanced by the weights.

l/Vith these and other objects in view, the invention consists incertain novel features of construction as hereinafter fully describedand claimed.

In the drawings, wherein one of several possible adaptations of myinvention has been shown, Figure 1 is an elevation of the motor showingthe pump in section, a weight being shown for the purpose of returningthe piston of the pump to effect intake of water; Fig. 2 is afragmentary View showing a modified form of device using a spring forreturning the piston of the pump; and Fig. 3 is a still further modifiedform for accomplishing the results ascribed to the form shown in Fig. 2.

Like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout thedrawings.

The general method of utilizing the motion of waves for storing energyas shown in this application, is to provide a floating vessel with ahorizontally disposed pump the piston of which has one side connected bymeans of a flexible cable or other suitable device, to a column securedto an anchor Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 29, 1914. Serial No. 769,522.

resting on the bottom of the sea, while the other side of the piston isconnected to suitable means for returning the piston to draw waterinto'the pump. The floating vessel may be of appropriate size anddesigned for use in any specified part of a sea, and is adapted to riseand fall with the waves, in such a way as to give the piston of the pumpa reciprocating motion corresponding roughly to the rise and fall of thewaves. While but one unit has been disclosed in the drawings, yet it isto be understood that two or more may be used on each float in such away as to preserve the balance and hold the float firmly in place as itrides the waves.

I am aware that wave motors have been proposed wherein fixed weightshave been used in connection with cables connected to a reciprocatingpower mechanism, but such devices have had weights secured at both oftheir ends for the purpose of balancing and also fixing the samerelative to the bottom of the sea. My invention diflers from these inthat there is provided a cable one end of which is connected to thebottom of the sea, whereas the other end is provided with means forkeeping the cable taut.

Referring to the drawings where the simplest embodiment of my inventionhas been shown, 1 designates an air-tight floating vessel which may bemade of any capacity to meet the requirements of any particularinstallation, but it is to be understood that it is not desirable tobuild the float 1 so large as to be easily destroyed by heavy windstorms which would result in beating of the waves against the device. Itis preferable to build the float in a number of comparatively smallcompartments where it is desired to utilize a large amount of power.Mounted upon the top of the float 1 at one end thereof, is a horizontalpump cylinder 2 shown in section in Fig. 1, within which reciprocates apiston 3 which carries a piston rod 4 passing through suitable packing 5formed at the inlet end of the cylinder. That end of the cylinder whichcarries the stuffing box 5 is also provided with an inlet pipe 6provided with a check valve 7 so designed as to allow water to pass intothe cylinder, but prevent water from flowing back through this pipe, andthere is provided an outlet pipe 8 provided with a suitable check valve9 for allowing water to pass to the outlet 8, but preventing its returnfrom said outlet to the cylinder. The outlet 8 has connected thereto anyflexible tubing 10 which leads to tank 11 shown in dotted lines in Fig.1, and designed to be located at some distance above the level of thewater.

In order that the floating vessel may be kept in substantially the sameposition,

there is provided upon the bottom of the sea an anchor 12 which iscoupled by means of a loose connection to a column 13, this looseconnection. in the drawings being shown as a link 1 1. The column 13 maybe made of any suitable material and size, and preferably it is a poleor spar which extends above the surface of the water. Connected at anysuitable point to the column 13, as at 15, is a cable 16, which is madeflexible and leads over a pulley 17 suitably journaled upon one end ofthe floating vessel 1. This cable of course, could be a chain or in factany of several constructions which are similar to cables and chains andflexible enough to be trained around a pulley. The upper end of thecable 16 is connected as at 18 to the piston rod 1 by means of anysuitable joint. It will be understood of course that the point at whichthe cable 16 joins the column 13 will be sufficiently below the troughsof the waves so that the vessel 1 will always be above the point 15. Anysuitable guard may be provided upon the pulley 17 for preventing thecable 16 from slipping off in the event of a sudden lurch of thefloating vessel 1. By means of the link connection 14, the float is keptat practically the same place, but the same is free to move to a limitedextent.

A cable, chain, or other flexible member 19 is secured at one end to thepiston 3 at a point opposite the point of junction between said pistonand piston rod 1, and led thence out of the open end of the cylinderwhile the other end of the cable 19 hangs in the water and is secured toa submerged weight 20. There is provided upon the floating vessel 1, apulley 21 over which the cable 19 passes, this pulley 21 being similarto the pulley 17. The weight 20 may be of any suitable shape forreducing the friction between its surface and the water as the samemoves, due to the rise and fall of the float, and said weight may bemade of any desirable material.

In the operation of the preferred form of the invention as disclosed,when the float l rises uponthe crest of the wave, the piston 3 will bedrawn to the left as the cable 16 is connected to a stationary point,and therefore cannot move with the float as the latter rises. Thismovement of the piston to the left will be accompanied by the clos-' ingof check valve 7 and the opening of check valve 9 so that any watercontained in the cylinder will be forced through the outlet 8 andflexible tubing 10 to the tank 11.

' As the wave passes, and the float 1 drops the cable 16 will berelieved and the weight 20, whichwas raised previously, will now descendand carry the piston 3 to the right, which motion of the piston will beaccompanied by a closing of the valve 9 and opening of the valve 7. Asthe valve 7 opens, water will be drawn into the cylinder from the seathrough the pipe or intake 6. This intake will be effected as long asthe device is descending, while the forcing of the water into the tank11 will take place as long as the device is rising, so that the piston 3is always active. It will be understood of course that the weight 20necessarily moves twice as rapidly as the floating vessel 1 so that inorder to have the device operate, it will be necessary to have the sameplaced in water to a depth which will be sufficient to keep the weight20 from striking the bottom of the sea when the float is at its lowestpoint. This weight 20 need not be excessively heavy insomuch as itschief function is to return the cylinder 3 and draw the water into thecylinder, but it should be sufliciently heavy to start the piston 3 uponits return as soon as the water motor begins to descend, and heavyenough not to be materially affected by the movement of the water.WVhile the intake 6 has been shown as passing water into the cylinder,yet it will be entirely possible to have the end of the intake pipe 6exposed to the air, in which case the cylinder would become an air pumpand the tank 11 an air tank. By disposing the weight 20 and the column13 in the relative position shown in Fig. 1, it will be observed thatthe floating vessel is between them, and further, that insomuch as theweight must travel upwardly twice as fast as the rising vessel, therewill be sufficient pull upon the pulley 21 to preserve balance.

In the modified form of device for returning the piston as shown in Fig.2, the chain 19 issecured to the lower end of a lever 22 which ispivoted as at 23 to the floating vessel. The retractile means employedfor withdrawing the piston 3 is a helical spring 24: connected at anydesirable point in the lever 22, and having one end secured to thefloating vessel 1. The form shown in Fig. 3, has the chain 19 trainedaround a drum 25 which is mounted upon a shaft 26 journaled in anysuitable manner to the water motor. Surrounding one end of the shaft 26,is a twist spring 27, one end of which is secured in the drum 25 whilethe other end is secured to the float.

In each of these devices, it will be noted that as the strain isrelieved in the cable 16, as the device descends, the springs 2 1 and 27will operate in their respective devices to return the piston 3 and drawin a charge of water. When the springs are used, it may be desirable tohave the cable 16 pass down through the center of the float and besecured to a suitable anchor. This arrangement is shown diagrammaticallyin Fig. 3, wherein the central cable 28 passes over a pulley 29journaled approximately in the center of the floating vessel. Thisarrangement will serve to keep the float in balance when the weights 20are dispensed with. Of course it will be entirely possible to have thecable 16 run from the center of the floating vessel as shown in Fig. 1,when the weight 20 is used, although this may disturb the balanceslightly.

I am aware that along different parts of the coast, waves attain varyingheights, and that also their periodicity varies, and it is to beunderstood that it is well within the scope of the invention to vary theproportions of the parts shown to accommodate them to any particularinstallation. It will be obvious that in certain places the height ofthe waves may be so great that the stroke of the piston would bealtogether too long if connected directly to the weight 12 by means ofthe cable 16, but in this case it will be entirely possible to introducesuch mechanical expedients as will reduce the length of stroke and givea corresponding increase in the pull on the piston. The tank 11 forreceiving the water forced upward or air under pressure from the pumpmay be connected to any suitable support forming no part of the presentinvention.

What I claim is:

1. In a wave motor the combination with an anchor adapted to rest on thebottom,

. and a pole linked at its lower end to said anchor and adapted to riseabove the surface of the water; of a float, a horizontally disposed pumpmounted on the float, inlet and outlet pipes leading to said pump andhaving check valves, a cable connected with the pump piston and led overa pulley and down under water and connected with said an anchor adaptedto rest on the bottom,

and a pole linked at its lower end to said anchor and adapted to riseabove the surface of the water; of a float having pulleys at itsopposite ends, a horizontally disposed pump mounted on the float betweensaid pulleys, inlet and outlet pipes leading to said pump and havingcheck valves, a cable connected with the pump piston and led over onepulley and down under water and connected with said pole, a second cableconnected with the piston and led over the other pulley and down underwater, and a submerged weight carried by the lower end of the last-namedcable.

3. In a water motor, the combination with a float having pulleys at itsopposite ends, cables passing over said pulleys and down into the water,an anchor on the bottom to which one cable is connected, and a submergedweight to which the lower end of the other cable is connected; of alift-andforce pump whose cylinder stands horizontal and is carried bythe float between said pulleys, one end thereof being closed, valvedinlet and outlet pipes opening through said closed end, the former beingcarried down to a point below the water, a piston within the cylinderand to which the upper end of the weight-cable is attached, and a pistonrod leading through said closed end and connected with the other cable,all as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE IV. WINSLOW.

IVitnesses:

GEORGE E. WIssLER, PAUL IROSE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. G.

